Marquette student studying in Rome dies

A Marquette University student studying abroad in Rome has died after falling off a bridge.

University officials said Andrew Keith Carr died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall from a ledge along the banks of a river in Rome.

University president the Rev. Scott Pillarz said Carr was walking with friends when he lost his balance and fell about 50 feet into the Tiber River.

His friend in Rome, fellow Marquette student Travis Smith, said he left a bouquet of flowers at the scene Tuesday night.

"I went to the place he passed away, a simple memorial with some friends, but it was sweet. I bawled my eyes out. I needed a couple of people to come and support me for it," Smith said.

Carr, 21, was a junior at the university studying in the College of Business Administration. He was studying abroad at John Cabot University in Rome.

"(He) was a wonderful student, an Ignatius and Magis scholarship recipient and also on the dean's list. So, it stands to reason that a bright student like that would want to study in a place like Rome," said Stephanie Wilson, Marquette University vice president for Mission and Ministry.

Italian media reported Carr was with four or five friends spending the evening in clubs before he fell from the wall onto the riverbank around 2 a.m.

He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and participated on Marquette's Quidditch team.

The fraternity tweeted, "Keith never stopped smiling. He was a light in our lives. Rest in peace."

“Andrew’s light only graced this campus for a short time, but his memory will live in his family, his friends and our Marquette community forever," Pilarz said in a letter to the Marquette community.

A memorial service on campus is being planned.

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